Working throughout Bartholomew County
to support new families:
Home visit program
In-hospital education
Community presentations
Caring Parents is a home visiting program offering Bartholomew County’s new parents:
- The latest news on infant care and safety
- Education on the stages of child development
- Emotional support
Volunteers build on the educational foundation provided in the Birthing Center by continuing visits in the home. They bring gifts, offer encouragement and do developmental screenings. The program uses a curriculum designed by local doctors. Topics for each visit include infant care, nutrition, crying, home safety and developmental milestones. Everything is provided free of charge.
Learn more about becoming a home visit volunteer or other volunteer opportunities
Caring Parents offers crying education and a copy of ABC: All Babies Cry to every mother delivering at Columbus Regional Hospital. This book contains helpful hints for successfully dealing with infant crying along with a resource guide. An animal-themed alphabet book runs along the bottom of the pages to encourage new parents to begin reading to their child from day one! Parents are also presented information on the Period of PURPLE Crying, Shaken Baby Syndrome, and how to contact Caring Parents with questions and concerns after returning home. The book is also available in Spanish. Either book may be purchased for new moms who do not deliver at Columbus Regional Hospital; call 314-2953 to purchase your book!
Caring Parents provides community education through presentations that help people understand how they can help foster positive parent-child relationships within their own and their friends’ families. The presentation also covers ways to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This presentation can be adapted for a variety of audiences and time slots. For more information, call 375-6748 or send an email.
Caring Parents: Volunteer Opportunities
Make a difference!
Give back!
Learn new skills!
Handle a challenge!
Feel a sense of accomplishment!
If you only have 1-2 hours per month to volunteer, then the Caring Parents program may be an ideal match for you. Caring Parents home volunteers help families grow together in healthy ways.
The program matches new families with trained volunteers who visit six times during baby’s first year. Volunteers bring gifts, do development screenings, bring information and in general provide a little extra support to the new mom and dad. Each visit generally lasts about an hour or so.
Two 3-hour training sessions are required. Prior to the training sessions, potential volunteers are asked to come in for an information interview and to fill out required forms. Interviews can be set up by calling Carol Dingledy at 375-6748. The process takes about 30 minutes and can generally be scheduled between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Applicants must be 21 years of age, and have a telephone and transportation. Volunteers must be able to travel to and visit with parents in their homes, and be comfortable working with parents in various lifestyles and environments. It is important to have an understanding of parenting and a sincere desire to help parents under stress. Traits of successful Caring Parents volunteers include patience, good listening skills, and comfort in sharing some personal experience. If you are interested, please call and register for an upcoming training (375-6748), or ask about other volunteer opportunities, such as volunteering for special events (long-term or 1 day) or becoming part of the Action Team.
Action Team
The Action Team provides Caring Parents with leadership and guidance for curriculum, programming and operational issues. The members support the mission of Caring Parents and advocate for resources in the community. Members also assist with volunteer recruitment and help support fund-raising efforts. The team meets the second Friday of each month at noon at the hospital. Call 375-6748 for more information.
Caring Parents : Location and Hours
Location:
1531 13th Street, Suite 2540
Columbus, Indiana 47201
812/375-6748
When visiting our office at the United Way Building, look for our entrance on the west side of the building. Map
Office Hours:
Monday- Friday
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.